'Dark ages' over as group leader steps down at council

A new leader has taken over the reins of a council's opposition group in what has been hailed as the "end of the Dark ages".

Brian Long has replaced Stuart Dark as the leader of the Conservatives at West Norfolk Council after three years in the post.

It follows a vote at an AGM meeting to choose his replacement following Mr Dark's decision to stand down.

Councillor Brian Long returns as leader of the Conservative group at West Norfolk Council (Image: © ARCHANT NORFOLK 2016)

The move means Mr Long returns as leader of the group following a five-year stint during which he was leader of the borough council until May 2021, when he was replaced by Mr Dark.

But there was a shock the following year when he was sacked from his cabinet position by Mr Dark for reasons that remain unknown.

Mr Long, who has served as a councillor for 21 years, said he is excited to be back in the position and that he will "work hard to achieve the best I can for the people of west Norfolk."

A view across King's Lynn with the town hall in the foreground (Image: Newsquest)

He has also committed to working with the ruling Independent coalition, led by Terry Parish, to ensure future decisions benefit the borough. 

Mr Dark has said he is stepping down as leader of the group in preparation for his expected appointment as chair of Norfolk County Council.

The authority is facing a significant period of change this year, with chief executive Lorraine Gore and her senior team members Geoff Hall and Debbie Gates all retiring from their posts.

Mr Parish is also facing his own leadership challenge, with cabinet member Alistair Beales jostling for the post, which is expected to go to a vote among the Independent group members this year.

At the end of 2023, it was also announced that Charles Joyce, who was head of the Labour group at WNC had quit and he was subsequently replaced by Francis Bone.